(BCSNN) -- Florida enters its first season under head coach Jon Sumrall facing one of the nation’s toughest schedules — and an opportunity to show quickly that the program is ready to rise under a coach who enjoyed major success at Tulane.
| Florida Football 2026 Schedule |
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Sept 5 − Florida Atlantic Sept. 12 − Campbell Sept. 19 − at Auburn Sept. 26 − Ole Miss Oct. 3 − at Missouri Oct. 10 − South Carolina Oct. 17 − at Texas Oct. 31 − Georgia (in Atlanta) Nov. 7 − Oklahoma Nov. 14 − at Kentucky Nov. 21 − Vanderbilt Nov. 28 − at Florida State |
The Gators will face three College Football Playoff teams from last season — Ole Miss, Georgia and Oklahoma — along with Texas and Vanderbilt, both of which finished in the Top 14 of the 2025 CFP rankings. According to College Football News Network, Florida’s schedule strength ranks fifth nationally, with opponents averaging 7.3 wins last season and five reaching double‑digit victories.
The SEC moves to a nine‑game conference schedule in 2026, and Florida’s non‑conference slate includes home games against Florida Atlantic and Campbell before closing the season at Florida State on Nov. 28.
Here are five games that will define Sumrall’s debut season, and quite possibly shape the foreseeable future of Florida Gators Football:
1. Florida at Auburn — Sept. 19
Florida’s SEC opener doubles as its first trip to Auburn since 2011 and pits two first‑year SEC coaches against each other. Sumrall will face Alex Golesh, whose USF team upset Florida 18–16 in Gainesville last season.
Auburn brings familiar faces: former USF quarterback Byrum Brown and receiver Keshaun Singleton, who both played key roles in that upset, followed Golesh to The Plains. Florida counters with former Auburn receiver Eric Singleton Jr., now expected to play a major role in the Gators’ offense. Auburn initially targeted Sumrall for its head‑coaching vacancy before hiring Golesh, adding another layer to the matchup. A road win in Sumrall’s SEC debut would set a strong early tone.
2. Florida vs. Ole Miss — Sept. 26
Florida’s SEC home opener comes against an Ole Miss team aiming for a league title in its first full season under Pete Golding. With Golding as interim coach, the Rebels reached the CFP semifinals before falling to Miami.
Ole Miss returns quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy, who helped beat Florida 34–24 last season. The Rebels, however, no longer have Lane Kiffin or Charlie Weis Jr., both now at LSU. This matchup features two of the SEC’s top running backs — Lacy and Florida junior Jadan Baugh — and may hinge on which team controls the ground game.
3. Florida at Texas — Oct. 17
Florida returns to Austin for the second time in three years. The Gators beat Texas 29–21 in Gainesville in 2025 but were routed 49–17 in their last trip to Austin in 2024.
Texas brings back quarterback Arch Manning for his second season as the starter and will again feature a high‑powered offense under Steve Sarkisian. Florida’s defense will face one of its toughest tests of the season.
4. Florida vs. Georgia — Oct. 31 (Atlanta)
The rivalry shifts to Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the first time since 1995 due to renovations at EverBank Stadium.
Georgia has won five straight and eight of the last nine meetings. The Bulldogs return quarterback Gunner Stockton, who will work with a new group of receivers led by Georgia Tech transfer Isiah Canion. The neutral‑site change adds intrigue to a matchup Florida needs to close the gap in.
5. Florida vs. Oklahoma — Nov. 7
Oklahoma makes its first‑ever trip to The Swamp, and the atmosphere should be one of the loudest of the season. The Sooners are aiming for a second straight CFP appearance under Brent Venables.
OU returns quarterback John Mateer, who threw for 2,885 yards with 14 touchdowns last season despite injuries. The defense remains a strength under Venables, led by linebacker Owen Heinecke and cornerback Eli Bowen. Also of note, Former Florida tight end Hayden Hansen also returns to Gainesville after transferring to Oklahoma.
